A MAN has died four months after he was allegedly punched in Accrington town centre.

Senior detectives are now re-examining the case of Paul Dewhurst to see if further charges should be brought against a teenager who was charged in connection with the incident.

Mr Dewhurst, 50, of Tarn Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, was allegedly assaulted in the Peel Street bus station on 2 July after a dispute between the retired merchant seaman and a group of youths.

He fell to the ground in the incident sustaining head injuries and was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

He was later transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital for surgery on a blood clot and returned to Blackburn on 23 October where his condition worsened. He died on Thursday 1 November.

The man leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, said: "I can confirm that Mr Dewhurst has died and we are now re-investigating the case. Further inquiries will be taking place."

A 17-year-old from Accrington was charged in connection with the incident shortly after the alleged assault which was captured on CCTV cameras.

Police are currently awaiting the results of a post-mortem and are liasing with the Crown Prosecution Service on the next step to take, if any.

An inquest into Mr Dewhurst’s death will be held on 4 December in Blackburn.

Mr Dewhurst’s son Callum, 18, of Clitheroe, this week paid tribute to his dad, who he said always gave him words of encouragement.

Callum, a B-tec media student at Blackburn College, said: "One thing he told me is that it takes a man to laugh and a man to cry. That is one thing that has helped me during this difficult time.

"He was a friend as well as a father. He was always there to talk to me about anything. He was there for me to have a man-to-man conversation. He worked very hard at being a dad."

Born in Blackburn, Mr Dewhurst lived in Clitheroe before moving to Clayton-le-Moors four years ago.

He also leaves another son Jake, 16, and a sister, Lynn Riley, who lives in Oswaldtwistle.

Earlier this year Mr Dewhurst helped Callum with a documentary about some of his personal struggles for a school project. The video documentary received top marks and will be shown at the Cornerhouse in Manchester on Monday 3 December.

Callum said: "It’s been hard the last few weeks but it’s great my dad will be remembered in this way."